title: Evaluation of child and parent outcomes after a pediatric cardiac camp experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effects of a cardiac camp experience on children with heart disease and their parents.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated measures design was used with 49 parent-child dyads. Repeated measures evaluated the effects of camp on anxiety, attitude toward illness, and psychosocial functioning of the children. Parental anxiety was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results demonstrated decreases in parent anxiety, decreases in child trait anxiety, and positive psychosocial outcomes in the areas of self-esteem, social, physical, and emotional functioning.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings can be used to support decisions for those contemplating a camping experience for the child with heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University School of Nursing, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Bultas
authors.forename: Chakra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Budhathoki
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balakas
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001007:Anxiety / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002165:Camping / Q000523:psychology*; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012649:Self Concept; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
keywords: Anxiety; camp; heart disease; parent; pediatrics